Agricultural implement



- Filed May 5, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 4 3 7 4- 6 2 3 e I I I 4 4 wn? 3 3 I 2 4 U o 6 m 0 5 n 4 I 8 6 O 2 l 4 2A 6 I m m a E QB E w C1 C t H 87 M1 7 mu 7 7 52 w, 3 B I E R 2 3 v 69 E o 0 3 4 4 FIG. I

A TTORNEYS.

Feb. 1, 1944. T. M. THOMAS AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed May 3, 1941 l VENTOR: OMAS M. HOMAS A TTORNEYS.

Patented Feb. 1, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Thomas M., Thomas, Huntington Park, Calii'., as-

signor to Killefer Manufacturing Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of Cailifornia Application May 3, 1941, Serial No. 391,737

solaims. (01. 97-234) The present invention relates generally to agricultural implements and more particularly to ground working tools of the type that is adapted to be towed by a tractor orthe like and also adapted to receive various types of tools to perform various farming operations, such as plowing, cultivating, ditching, and the like.

The object and general nature of the present invention is to provide an improved tool of this type in which is incorporated a transverse tool bar and a pair of laterally adjustable frame units adjustable laterally along the tool bar and each including a complete frame and ground engaging supporting means, with a transverse spreader bar adjustably connected at the front ends of c said units to accommodate their adjusted position along the transverse tool bar. It is a further feature of this invention to provide an implement of this kind in which each frame unit includes its own power lift-crank axle and associated ground wheel, arranged forwardly of the transverse tool bar at the rear and laterally outwardly of the'frame bars of each unit, whereby the desired extent of-adjustment is afforded. In

this connection it is a further feature ofthis invention to construct the frame units and associated power lift mechanism so that the units,'if desired, may be brought relatively close to one another without the power lift or other parts interfering with such proximate spacing.

Another important feature of this invention is the provision of a flexible hitch swingably connected with the transverse spreader bar so as to be effective independent of the adjustment of the frame units along the spreader bar, with means reacting against one of said units for yieldingly holdingthe hitch member in desired position to facilitate connecting the implement to be towed by a tractor or the like.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment,

taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an chine in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated, with th frame units in a Wide setting;

' Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l but drawn at areduced scale, showing the frame units in their narrow setting; and j v Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the flexible hitch construction and the spreader bar at agricultural mathe front of the machine with which the frame units are adjustably connected.

Referring now to Figure 1, the agricultural implement of the present invention comprises, in general, a hitch frame a transverse spreader bar 2, a pair of right and left hand frame units 3 and 4, each including ground engaging supporting and lifting mechanism to which reference will be made below, a transverse tool bar 5 to which the implement frame units 3 and 4 are adjustably connected, and a plurality of tools 6 of various kinds according to the operation it is desired to perform.

The frame units 3 and 4 are substantially identical, except that one is a right-hand unit and the other a left-hand unit, and hence a detailed description of one will suffice. The left-hand unit 4 comprises a longitudinally extending laterally inner frame bar in the form of an angle member II and a laterally outer frame member in the form of a strap or bar l2. The angle bar H is bolted, as at l3, in any one of a'plurality of bolt holes l4 formed in the horizontal flange l6 of the spreader bar 2, and at the rear endthe laterally inner angle bar carries a pillow block |8 in which a V-shaped notch is formed so as to receive the transverse tool bar 5. l A clamping cap I9 is secured over the bar 5 by means of bolts 2|, which also extend downwardly through the pillow block l8 and the horizontal flange at the rear end of the laterally inner frame angle The laterally outer frame bar l2 includes a rear portion |2A which is parallel to and spaced laterally outwardly of the laterally inner frame angle II. The frame bar portion |2A is connected with the rear portion of the frame angle H by a pair ofcross braces 24 suitably secured to the bar II and the bar portionlZA. Preferably, the latter connection includes an angle bracket 25 bolted to the bar l2. bolted at 21 to the bracket 25. 'At the rear end the bar portion |2A carries an angle bracket 3|,

the horizontal flange of which carries a pillowblock 32 which also has a V-shaped notch formed therein to receive the tool bar 5. A clamping cap 33 is secured by bolts 34 to the angle bracket 3|, the bolts passing through openings in the pillow block 32, whereby the bar 5 is firmly,

clamped to the bar l2. The angle bracket 3| is bolted at 36 to the rear end of the frame bar I2.

Th cross braces 24 areto the spreader bar 2 and secured thereto in draft transmitting relation in any adjusted position.

The right hand frame unit 3 is of substantially the same construction a just described, except that the parts ar right hand instead of left hand. Therefore, in the drawings, parts in the right hand unit corresponding to the above de scribed parts in the left hand 'unit are indicated by the same reference numeral primed. V

The ground engaging raising and lowering mechanism for the left hand unit includes a crank axle 4I having a spindle portion 42 (Figure 3 on which a ground wheel 44 is journaled for rotation. Secured to the insid of the wheel i4 is a rack ring 45 which includes a plurality of studs 46 secured to the hub of the wheel 44 and evenly spaced about the axis thereof. Th rack 7 ring 45 forms a part of a traction operated power lift which is substantially the same as that disclosed in U. S. Patent 1,888,511, issued November 22, 1932, to Rollie H. Mitchell and Jesse A. Vaughn, to which reference may be made if desired. The crank axl 4I also includes a journaled section 41 mounted for rocking movement by bearings 48 and 49 carried by the frame bars II and I2, respectively. The bearing 49 is preferably connected to the laterally outer frame bar l2 by means of an angle bracket. It will be noted that the laterally inner end of the crank axle journal section 41 does not extend laterally inwardly appreciably beyond the frame angle Ii. The journal section 41 is connected with the spindle section 42 by means of a crank section 53 which normally extends downwardly and forwardly, both when the frame unit is in its raised position and when it is in its lowered position. Th crank axle and ground wheel construction for the right hand unit is substantially the same as just described, and the parts thereof have been indicated by the same reference numerals primed. It will be noted that both ground wheels 44 and 44' are disposed laterally outwardly of the laterally outer frame bars I2 and appreciably forward of thetransverse tool bar 5.

Each frame unit includes suitable mechanism whereby during the forward travel of the implement the rotation of the ground wheel or wheels is utilized to cause the crank axles 4I and 4 I or either of them, to swing downwardly relative to the associated frame unit or units, thereby raising the latter into inoperative or transport position. Such mechanism is adapted to be released to permit the frame unit or units to lower by gravity into their operating or ground engaging position. The particular details of the power lift mechanism do not per se form any part of th present invention, being substantially the same as the arrangement shown and claimed in the above-mentioned prior patent. So far as the present invention is concerned, therefore, a brief description of the power lift mechanism will suffice.

A shaft 69 is rockably supported in suit-able bearings at the under side of the frame bars ii and I2 and below and slightly forward of the journal section 41 of the associated crank axle 4 i. The shaft 69 carries a lifting rack 62 provided with teeth 93. A controlling arm 64 is fixed in any suitable manner to the shaft 66 and has connected to it a cable 65 which when pulled forwardly swings the lifting rack or arm downward- 1y so as. to cause the arm 62 to be moved into engagement with the rack wheel 45'. As'the implement is moved forwardly, th traction w en iii) by any suitable means.

rotates, and since the studs of the rack ring 45 engage the teeth on the arm 62, the rotation of the wheel reacts through the crank axle to exert a lifting force against the associated frame. The latter then swings upwardly as the crank axle swings downwardly until, at the desired height, the arm 62 is disengaged from the rack ring 45. Each of the frame units 3 and 4 is equipped with power lift means, as just described, controlled by cables '65 and 65' that extend forwardly to the operators station on the tractor.

The right hand frame unit 3 is provided with similar means to receive the cable 65'. In order to prevent the cables from becoming entangled in any of the operating mechanism, I secure an angle 66 to the front portion of the frame member I2 and mount on it anupstanding rod 5? with an ,eye 68 at its upper end to receive the cable 65. At its lower end, the rod 61 is flexibly mounted on the bracket 66, as by a spring or the like.

Secured to the journal portion of the crank axle 4| is an arm II which extends generally upwardly and is pivotally connected, as at I2, to a pair of spaced sliding bars I3 and the sliding bars I3 carry a suitable stop member cooperating with a latch that is carried by a standard I4, preferably formed of spaced bars and braces rigidly secured to the two frame bars II and I2 The latch just mentioned is under the control of a latch lever I6 to which a cable I? is connected. By pulling the cable H, the connection between the sliding bars l3 and the standard 14 is released so that the associated frame may lower relative to the associated crank axle, the latter swinging upwardly and forwardly. Suitable spring means to nor; mally holds the rack arm 62 entirely out of en gagement with the rack ring 45 unless the cable 95 is pulled forwardly.

The movement of the frame into position is controlled by an adjustable" stop 8| which consists of a nut member 82 carried on the threaded portion of a crank screw 84 supported in'suitable bearings and disposed longitudinally on the slide bars'I3. V r p The power lift mechanism of the right hand unit is of substantially the same construction, and the parts have been indicated by the sam reference numerals primed.

The hitch frame 1 consists of a pair of rear wardly divergent members 9| and 92. The former consists of a strap member 94 pivoted, as at 95,130;

Thelatter is pivoted by a bolt 91-- t to a hitch angle 98 that is bolted, as at 99, to the a clevis 96.

angle bar 2.

The hitch member 92 consists of a pair of.-

spaced straps I92 pivoted, as at I93, to aswivel IE4. The latter is pivoted by a bolt I05 toa hitch angle I96 that is secured to the spreader angle bar 2 in the same manner as thehitch angle 98. The spreader bar 2 is provided witha plurality of opening I09 so that the h-itch' angles98 and I06 may be fastened in the desired position, and the pivot bolts 9! and I95 -are adapted to be disposed in any one of a plurality of openings formed in the forward flange of the hitch angles 98 and I96 so as to'swingably connect the hitch frame I with the interconnected frame units 3 and 4 at the desired elevation. The

hitch member 94 is normally disposed between the two members I92 of the hitch member92;

and is provided with a plurality of openings 2 in which a pin II3 may be disposed, the hitch members being provided with aligned open- 3 its lowered ings to receive the pin H3, and if desired, there may be of a number of sets of openings in the spaced strap members I02, if desired. The forward ends of the strap members I02 are bolted, as at I I5, to a bar H3, the forward end of which is twisted into a vertical plane and apertured to receive a bolt II! by which a clevis H8 is connected thereto, the clevis II8 being adapted to be attached to the drawbar H9 of a tractor or other source of draft by whichthe implement is towed.

The hitch frame I is thus pivotally connected for vertical swinging movement relative to the frame units 3 and 4 about a transverse axis as defined by the pivot bolts 97 and I05. In order to restrain downward swinging movement of the front ends of the frame unit relative to the hitch frame I, there is provided spring biased means which acts against the hitch bar and reacts against one of the frame units. Such means will now be described.

An angle member I25 is bolted, as at I26, to the upper strap member I02 and has a number of openings I21 formed in its vertical flange. A rod member I28 is formed with a hook end I34 that may be inserted in any one of the openings I21 and has its rear threaded end extended through a sleeve I29 on which a hook I30 is formed. The hook I30 is engaged in the upper apertured end I3I of a bracket I32 that is bolted, as at I33, to the forward end of the laterally inner frame angle II of the left hand frame unit. A pring I35 surrounds the rod I28 and is held between the forward end of the sleeve I29 and an adjustable collar I33 that is fixed adjustably to the rod I28, by any suitable means such as a set screw I38. A crank I39 is screwed onto the rear threaded end of the rod I28 and limits the downward swinging movement of the hitch frame I relative to the frame unit 4. The upward movement of the hitch frame I relative to the frame unit 4 is yieldingly restrained by the spring I35.

Various kinds of tools may be connected to the rear transverse tool bar and the frame units 3 and 4 may be adjusted laterally inwardly or laterally outwardly along the spreader bar 2 and the tool bar 5 in order to best accommodate the tools it is desired to use. By way of illustration, there is shown in Figure 2 a tool assembly consisting of three plows I45, I46 and I41, the forward beams of which are secured by clamps I48 to the tool bar 5. For an arrangement of this kind it is preferable to have the frame units disposed fairly close to one another, and from Figure lit will be noted that since none of the parts overhang laterally inwardly of the frame angle I I or II, there is nothing to interfere with bringing the frame units alongside one another. Since the hitch bars III and 92 are connected to the front transverse spreader bar 2 by means independent of the connection between the spreader bar and the front ends of the frame units, the matter of adjusting the latter along the spreader bar to any desired position is simple. All that it is necessary to do is to remove the fastening means connecting the front ends of the frames to the bar 2 and reattach them at the desired spacing, and by loosening the clamping bolts 2| and 34 it is a simple matter to adjust the frames relative to the rear transverse tool bar 5.

Figure 1 is a view showing the arrangement of the parts when tools that require a fairly wide spacing are used. In Figure 1 the bar 5a. is long enough to accommodate a plurality of spring cultivator teeth I55 clamped, as at I51, to the tool bar 5, preferably, the cultivator teeth are arranged into spaced apart sets and therefore it is preferable to have the frames 3 and 4 and associated ground wheels in a fairly wide setting. It will be noted that either ground wheel may be raised or lowered, as desired, relative to the associated frame so as to accommodate the conditions encountered or tools used. Ordinarily, when employing plow bottoms, as shown in Fig- .ure 2, one wheel can be adjusted to operate at a higher elevation on the land. Since the hitch fram I is swingably connected with the two frame units and hence the pivot connection tends to take a position in the line of draft between the draft connection at the front end of the hitch frame and the center of resistance of the tools fixed to the tool bar 5. In order to insure adequate clearance at the front end, the spring biased rod connection between the hitch frame and one of the frame units is adjusted so as to resist the tendency for the front end of the frames to swing downwardly and permit the tools to raise out of the ground.

While there has been shown and described above the details of the preferred embodiment of' the present invention, it is to be understood that this invention is not to be limited to the particular details shown and described, but that, in fact, widely difierent means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of this invention.

What is claimed, therefore, is:

1. An agricultural machine comprising a pair of right and left hand frame units, each including a generally longitudinally extending bar disposed at the laterally inner side of each unit and an outer bar including a section spaced laterally outwardly of said inner bar, a transverse tool bar, clamping mean at the rear of each frame unit for adjustably securing said tool bar to the laterally inner and laterally outer bars of both of said frame units and accommodating lateral adjustment of the latter along said tool bar, tool means fixed to said tool bar and adjustable along the latter relative to said frame units, generally vertically adjustable ground engaging supporting means for each of said frame units, and means on each frame unit for shifting said ground engaging means, the shifting means and the supporting means of each unit being both disposed laterally outwardly of the vertical longitudinal plane of the laterally inner bar, whereby said units may when desired be laterally adjusted along the tool bar to positions in which said laterally inner frame bars lie substantially against one another, independently of the position of said tool means,

2. An agricultural machine comprising a pair of right and left hand frame units, each including a generally longitudinally extending bar disposed at the laterally inner side of each unit and an outer bar including a section spaced laterally outwardly of said inner bar, a transverse tool bar, clamping means at the rear of each frame unit for adjustably securing said tool bar to said frame units and accommodating lateral adjustment of the latter along said tool bar, generally vertically adjustable ground engaging supporting means for each of said frame units, and means on each frame unit for shifting said ground engaging means, the shifting means and the supporting means of each unit being both disposed laterally outwardly of the vertical longitudinal plane of the laterally inner bar, whereby said units may when desired be laterally adjusted along the tool bar to positions in which said laterally inner frame'bars lie substantially against one another.

3. An agricultural machine comprising a pair of right and left hand frame units, each including a generally longitudinally extending bar disposed at the laterally inner side of each unit and an outer bar including a section spaced laterally outwardly of said inner bar, a transverse tool bar, clamping means 'at the rear of each frame unit for adjustably securing said tool bar to said frame units and accommodating lateral adjustment of the latter along said tool bar, generally vertically adjustable ground engaging supporting means for each of said frame units, and means on each frame unit for shifting said ground en- 

